Amidst Record-Breaking Heat Dome, 4 in 5 Voters Want FEMA to Respond to Extreme Heat Disasters
By Catherine Fraser, Margo Kenyon, and Grace Adcox
As June’s record-breaking heat dome threatens communities across the U.S., activists have renewed calls for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to add extreme heat and wildfire smoke to the list of disasters to which it responds. In a new survey, Data for Progress finds that when presented with a list of extreme weather events, around 1 in 4 voters are most concerned about extreme heat (24%), followed by tornadoes (16%), hurricanes (13%), and wildfires (10%).
Despite high levels of concern about extreme weather events, particularly extreme heat, voters have mixed levels of awareness of disaster relief programs in their state. Forty-five percent of voters report being aware of disaster relief programs available to them in their state, compared with 40% who do not.
Fewer voters still are aware of whether cooling centers are available in their community. Just 40% of voters are aware of any cooling centers available to them in their community, compared with 50% who are not aware of any.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, a majority of voters (58%) say that the federal government is not providing enough information and resources about disaster relief programs. This includes a majority of Democrats (61%), Independents (63%), and Republicans (52%).
What’s more, a majority of voters (56%) think the federal government isn’t providing enough support to Americans for disaster relief. This sentiment holds across party lines, with 59% of Democrats, 56% of Independents, and 51% of Republicans saying the federal government isn’t doing enough.
Respondents next were randomly assigned to see one of two questions in a split test. Half of respondents were asked to assess their personal level of preparedness for potential extreme weather events, while the other half were asked the same question after reading the statement, “Experts predict that extreme weather events are likely to become stronger, costlier, and more common in the near future.”
Of the first half of respondents, who didn’t read the statement, a majority (59%) say they feel either “extremely prepared” or “somewhat prepared” to respond to future extreme weather events. In contrast, only a slight majority (52%) of the half of respondents who read the statement report feeling either extremely or somewhat prepared. Notably, across both halves of the split test, respondents generally say they feel somewhat prepared, while only around 10% say they feel extremely prepared, suggesting there is a need to increase disaster preparedness overall among the electorate.
Next, voters were asked whether they’d support FEMA adding extreme heat and wildfire smoke to the list of disasters to which it responds. A strong majority of voters (80%) support this proposal, including majorities of Democrats (87%), Independents (79%), and Republicans (72%).
Voters were then asked which approach they would like to see Congress take regarding spending priorities and extreme weather events. A plurality of respondents feel that Congress should spend money equally between disaster preparedness and disaster response (46%), as opposed to specifically spending more on disaster preparedness (27%) or more on disaster response (21%). Pluralities of Democrats (48%), Independents (45%), and Republicans (43%) agree that funding should be allocated equally between disaster preparedness and disaster response.
After reading a statement that landlords currently aren’t obligated to provide renters with air conditioning or other cooling services, but are required to provide home heating in the winter, voters were asked whether they would support requiring landlords to provide air conditioning or indoor cooling to their tenants. Respondents overwhelmingly report (79%) that they would support such a policy requiring landlords to provide renters with air conditioning or cooling during extreme heat events.
Respondents were also asked about cool roofs and cool pavements, after being informed that these technologies can combat higher temperatures that are common in urban areas due to the heat-absorbing properties of concrete buildings and pavements, known as the heat island effect. Voters again express abundant support for investments in extreme heat mitigation, with 80% of respondents in support of their state or municipality investing in cooling roofs and pavements. Again, Data for Progress finds this policy is popular across party lines, with nearly three-quarters of Republicans in support (73%).
Finally, voters were asked whether they would support investing in cooling infrastructure specifically for marginalized communities. When informed that extreme heat disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including low income communities and communities of color — who are more likely to live in urban heat islands — a majority of respondents (79%) say they would support investments in cooling infrastructure for marginalized communities. Support among Democratic respondents is particularly high, with 88% in favor of this policy.
Given the widespread impact and dangers of the heat wave that continues to affect much of the U.S., this data reflects that voters are deeply concerned over extreme heat and the need for disaster relief funding.
Catherine Fraser (@cathwfraser) is the Senior Climate and Energy Program Associate at Data for Progress.
Margo Kenyon is the Climate and Energy Program Intern at Data for Progress.
Grace Adcox (@GraceAdcox)is the Senior Climate Strategist at Data for Progress.